Hi I’m Kat

You woke up in the Tau Ceti system with alerts that probes had been detected five light-years behind you on their way to Earth. You have to sit down after that. You sacrificed your life for a mission that's already been completed. You take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that you would've just starved on Earth. After a tearful funeral for your fallen friends, you decide to figure out your options. First of all, you decide that some detective work is in order. The Hail Mary wasn’t in the system but you could track it. The astrophage left an ion trail that you could easily pick up. That was the easy part. The hard part was figuring out what to do with the information. You could tell that the Hail Mary had returned to the area from its path to Earth but it was impossible to tell why until you found another astrophage trail. You had to sit down after that one too. There was someone else here with the other team.

You don’t hesitate. You charted a course and follow the trail. You ran tests, calculated fuel usage, and barely noticed the major turn that the course took until the Final Gamble was alongside an alien ship. You scanned it and then decided that based on your microbiology training, there’s probably a reason that it’s empty. You’re an expert in microbes, not in exploring alien cultures. The likelihood of it being a plague ship was way too high for your comfort so you continued following the path of the Hail Mary. 

Your fuel tanks had a higher capacity and your system allowed faster travel than the Hail Mary so it isn’t a surprise when the trip takes under a year. You were led to an unfamiliar planet where, after careful measurements, you find out that the sun in the system isn’t dimming. You knew that the other team had found the solution to the problem but you didn’t expect the solution to be used by another planet. You were so caught off guard that when you send a spoken message to the Hail Mary, you ended up messing up your wording.

“Hail Mary, this is the Final Gamble. I– We were sent after you to find the reason why Tau Ceti wasn’t dimming. We were sent to make sure that the mission was completed. We have tracked you to this planet after finding that the probes from your ship were sent back to Earth. Are you okay? Please respond.”

You waited for hours as your ship fights the orbit of the planet in order to stay above the tracking beacon of the other ship. You broadcasted the recording over and over, just hoping that there will be someone else there. You’d been alone for so long that the prospect of a single conversation with another person was tantalizing. You shot up in your chair when the radio crackles to life for the very first time.

“Final Gamble, this is Dr. Ryland Grace of the Hail Mary. I am the sole survivor of the mission. The locals of this planet have taken me in. They’re very friendly. Would it be okay if I and a member of the local population came aboard?” 

“Dr. Grace, I’m so happy to hear from you! I studied all of your work and procedures! Please feel free to board. We have lots of room for you and your associate. You’re both very welcome here.”

You’re not as concerned as you probably should be when only a day later, a strange shuttle is sent from the surface of the planet to the Final Gamble. You wait patiently for them to dock and open the hatch for them to enter once the pressure in the airlock stabilizes. You barely have time to introduce yourself to Dr. Grace before what looks like an alien crab made of rock and covered in crystal barrels past you and into your ship.

“Make yourself at home…?” You offered quietly as you escort the other human into the main living and working area, offering him some apple juice in a packet.

“Sorry about that. He’s excited to see your ship and another human. He means well.” Grace said sheepishly as he takes the packet.

“Other human much cleaner than Grace when Rocky first see Grace ship. Grace very dirty until Rocky stay with Grace! Very nice! I like!” Rocky interrupted through the translator.

“Uh… Thanks…? It’s standard procedure on Earth.” You reply, still in shock as you watched Rocky skitter around, literally bouncing off of the walls in the lack of gravity. You just watched as he looks through the entirety of the first floor.

“Welcome! Final Gamble much bigger and nicer than Hail Mary! Earth must like you much better than Grace!” Rocky said happily.

“Oh, um… It was just made after the Hail Mary was. It was also designed to hold more people so it had to be bigger.” You said awkwardly.

Grace took the time to start looking at all of the decorations on the ship.

“Where other human, question. Rocky want meet! More friend for Grace! More friend for Rocky!” Rocky exclaimed.

“They… They all died. There were five others on board but there was a glitch that wasn’t fixed from the Hail Mary so I was the only one that survived.” You responded much more sullenly.

Grace whiped around from where he’s fiddling with a bobblehead. 

“Wait, so that was a glitch?” Grace asked.

“Unfortunately. We found out after you were a light year away that the feeding pumps for the top bunk stops working after a few years and then the middle one gives later. I was told that it was fixed but apparently, it wasn’t. I’m assuming that you were on the bottom bunk as well.” You said more quietly.

“Yeah. I was. I’m… I’m so sorry for your loss.” Grace responded.

“I’m sorry for yours too.” You said.

“Twenty-three of Rocky crewmate die. Rocky all alone until find Grace. You not alone now too. You find Grace and Rocky. Better now. Always better when not alone.” Rocky said after a few moments.

Rocky was right. It did make things a little better. You liked talking with both of them. They told you all about their meeting and how they ended up saving each other. You properly introduced yourself to them and were able to find out how Grace’s life support system on Erid worked. After some debating, you agreed to go down to Erid to see what it was like. It sounded nice enough and you were very interested in not being alone anymore.

You explored Grace’s biodome and met Adrian, Rocky’s mate. They were very nice, though significantly taller than even Grace. You found them to be very intimidating at first but were much more comfortable around them after conversing with them. They were very interested in your biology and how you liked the biosphere. You guest taught in Grace’s class and did a lesson on the basics of school systems on Earth and on Earth bacteria. All of the Eridian children enjoyed hearing your stories and seemed to enjoy your jokes.

Eventually, it was decided that you, Grace, and Rocky would attend a conference with scientists and journalists. Rocky would ask you questions based on the ones that the scientists and journalists gave to him while they observed and broadcasted the interview, as well as the translation of your words. Grace agreed to answer most of the questions for you as he understood their customs better and would be less likely to cause offense. As you sat between Grace and Rocky in front of the clear crystal that separated you from the rest of the Eridians, you began regretting agreeing to do the interview.

“How old Grace friend, question.” Rocky asks.

“Oh, um, they’re in their twenties. We haven’t figured out how the coma on the ride over impacts biological aging for us humans and whether or not to include the duration of the coma. It’s a bit complicated.” Grace says warmly.

“Earth send baby to do job, question.” Rocky asked, visibly agitated.

You were a bit taken aback. You weren’t expecting to be called a child and were feeling more than a little insulted. Sure, you were young but that didn’t take away from your accomplishments!

“No, they’re not a baby! They’re an adult! They made the decision to come here and they were fully capable of consenting to do so. They wanted to save our world and they were braver than me.” Grace tried to soothe.

It didn’t work. An entire chorus of “BAD, BAD, BAD” and “IS BABY, IS VERY MUCH BABY” rang out from the both formerly docile council and reporting crew. One translator screeched “BABY ALONE FOR YEARS WITH NO ONE WATCH SLEEP!” and it started up a whole other wave of incensed and horrified speech that the translators didn’t understand. You’d noticed that Grace didn’t usually cuss and that Rocky’s translator didn’t work on too many curse words so you could only imagine how intense whatever they’re saying is. Their distressed chirps and calls were starting to make you feel even more nervous though.

“What’s going on…? Why are they so upset…?” You whispered to Grace, eyes wide as you watched the aliens practically begin to riot.

“So, um, funny story, Eridians are technically infants until they’re like thirty? Some take longer than that to grow so sometimes forty? I’m not really sure about all of the details but Rocky told me about it a while ago. Their culture is super focused on kids so the fact that you were sent out so young is kind of a really big deal to them. I’m sure that they’ll get over it soon.” He whispered back.

“What Grace friend do on Earth, question.” Rocky said loudly, trying to drown out the high pitched sounds from the council with a seemingly less charged question.

“I was a microbiology student. I was working to get my doctorate when I was asked to join the mission. I’m an astronaut now.” You respond.

This time, it’s Rocky’s turn to freak out.

“Earth send baby not yet out school! BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD!” Rocky’s translator shouts as his arms start flailing.

The meeting had to be cut short after the council’s table was flipped by a scientist whose eggs had recently hatched. You sat in Grace’s living room, drinking a mug of hot chocolate that had been replicated by Eridian scientists to be as close as possible to the stuff on your ship. Grace also had a mug. He seemed much happier with the food that you brought compared to what the Eridians were feeding him before you showed up. You took one look at it early on in your visit to Erid and decided not to ask. 

“That was intense.” You said after a moment.

“You’re telling me. I’ve never seen them that worked up before.” Grace said after a sip from his mug.

Your conversation is interrupted by pounding on the front door. Grace got the door before Rocky barged in while pulling something similar to a wagon filled with assorted trinkets and doodads. 

“Rocky bring gift from many parents and children who listen to interview. Much, much concern! All want you feel better.” He says to you, seeming particularly satisfied with himself.

“Do I take some…?” You ask as you gesture to the wagon.

“All for you! All for human baby to play with!” He exclaims.

“I’m not a baby but I really appreciate the thought.” You say diplomatically, trying your best to be professional.

You end up being particularly fond of a plush that looks like an alien creature and a puzzle that reminds you of a combination of a Rubik's cube and Chinese puzzle box. You spend hours trying to figure it out after dinner, much to Rocky’s delight. You found out from Grace’s class the next morning that they were both toys for children meant to develop their fine motor skills and logical thinking abilities. You keep being brought more and more toys and games as time goes by. You’ve been crashing on Grace’s couch and now the pile of your things in the corner has grown to be taller than you. You kept apologizing for taking up so much of his space but Grace insisted that it was fine and that he was just happy to be around another person.

The size of the pile only grew when Rocky found out that you liked the Xenonite figures that he made for Grace. He would sit in the classroom during Grace’s classes to keep an “eye” on you while you helped teach a unit on Earth microbiology while he worked on making more little figures for you. He made one of you, Grace, Adrian, and him. He would insist that you use puppet shows to tell him what you wanted, saying that he didn’t understand you. You understood when he was laughing and he usually did when you did the puppet shows.

After staying for about a week, you wanted to go back to your ship to retrieve some equipment to run some tests and do some research of your own on Erid. You were messing around with one of the plushies that was given to you when you realized that the shuttle that you used to get to the biodome was gone. You decided to ask about it.

“So when do I get to go back to my ship…? I need to get some things for my research.” You said hesitantly.

“You not go to Final Gamble. You stay on Erid. We take care you. Happy, happy.” Rocky said lightly as he continues building the little Xenonite figures that you like.

“No, not happy…! I want to go back to my ship…!” You responded anxiously.

“Earth not want little baby. Erid want little baby. You stay. We take care. Grace help, even though Grace bad at many things. Grace give hug when Rocky not able. Adrian help make more thing for you. Make nursery. Help make more comfortable in house. You happy one day. Hope happy soon.” Rocky replied.

You sat back, eyes wide as your hands begin to shake. You stared down at the plushie of the unfamiliar animal on your lap.

“Where’s my ship, Rocky?” You ask more firmly this time.

“Grace need other human. Grace like you. Grace happy. You good for Grace. Grace talk more when you here. Grace not scared of presenting information now. Ship in many pieces. Never put together again. You, Grace, Rocky, Adrian all happy together. Very good. Happy, happy.” He responded in that light tone again.

You woke up the next morning with a leaden skull, your head groggy and sluggish. And the moment you shifted an inch, a hellfire sort of pain shot through your body. You went still, gritting your teeth as those various wounds began to ache once more. Slowly sitting up, you reached down, rubbing at those gouges in your hip. They were numerous, criss-crossing down your thighs, a few lines of dried red even snaking down to your calves. But strangely enough, they were all surface-level. It felt strange to think about Harlequin of all people restraining himself, but you had little other explanation for why those wounds weren’t far worse than they were currently. Your other hand came up to drag down your thoroughly bitten neck, tracing the ridges of each indent left behind by his teeth.

You hoped he was doing the same.

But, unfortunately, he wasn’t the one who had to worry about cleaning the blood off your sheets.

You groaned, rolling out of bed, only for your foot to step onto something far silkier than your flooring. You paused, looking down just to find that you were stepping onto Harlequin’s overcoat. Well… ‘coat’ probably wasn’t the right term, it was more of a short chasuble of some sort. He must have left it behind last night.

You glanced at the bedside table, where Harlequin’s ticket lay within, and Pierrot’s paper rose laid upon. You couldn’t dwell on all this for too long, though. You had work to get ready for, so you quickly went through the painfully normal motions, hiking up the collar of your top in an attempt to cover that bite mark. The knowledge that you would have to enter that circus again soon loomed over you every movement you made, Harlequin’s coat stuffed into your bag haphazardly. You sure as hell didn’t want to give him an easy excuse to break into your house again, so you’d shove it into his hands the next chance you got, hopefully not with any yellow eyes watching. You went for the door handle, then hesitated, turning around to slip a knife into your pocket before leaving. A small folding knife, sure, but it provided some semblance of comfort.

For once, work was welcome. It took your mind off of the precarious situation you were in, and the possible outcomes of walking back into that circus.

It was later than usual this time, almost at the end of your shift, when it happened. The jangle of the door opening was followed by the soft sound of bells, and the sight of bright red in the corner of your eye. You steeled yourself as you turned around to meet Pierrot, his smile widening when your eyes met his.

Despite everything, it was good to see him, you supposed. He had a bright, excited expression on his face as he came up to you. You leaned over the counter a little to greet him.

“Pierrot, hi!”

He cocked his head to the side, his smile widening at the sound of your voice.

“Would you like the same thing as before? A milkshake?”

He placed a hand on his chest, nodding.

“Alright, just one moment!” You were glad things were a little slow at the moment, nobody in line behind Pierrot, and only a few patrons littering the tables, clearly trying not to stare at the brightly-dressed performer in the middle of the shop. You prepared the milkshake, sliding it over to him. He took it happily, taking a long sip through the straw.

“Is it to your liking?”

He looked around to see if anyone was nearby, then gestured for you to come closer. You placed both hands on the counter to support yourself as you leaned closer so he could whisper to you, his cheek brushing against yours. He spoke under his breath.

“Perfect. Thank you, my dear.”

“Anytime.” You chuckled, a little self-conscious about the stares you must be drawing being this physically close to him.

“Will you come to the circus tonight?”

You froze for a moment, tensing before you nodded. “You said that’s the safest option, right?”

He let out a little sigh, but agreed. “…It is. I’ll make sure of it.” He pulled back to look you in the eyes.

“…Right.” You gave a slightly nervous laugh, your pulse quickening just thinking about walking into that den of vipers again. “I’ll come to watch your show first.”

“That makes me happy, my dearest.” He suddenly paused, eyes fixed onto something. They were wide, a few strands of pale hair falling over them, casting shadows over his contracted, focused pupils. You felt the urge to step back, but kept yourself in place, heart pounding.

“Uh… do I have something on my shirt?”

His hand slowly reached out, a clawed fingertip brushing just barely against the skin of your neck. You froze, body tensing as you realized what he had seen. Your collar had slipped down while working, revealing the bite mark you had hidden beneath.

“Ah–” You reached up a hand, but before you could cover the mark, he pressed his hand against that mark, leaning in to whisper in your ear so no prying ears could catch his voice. His tone wavered, but it was less out of nervousness this time, and more out of something dangerous, barely concealed.

“Someone marked you?”

You scrambled for an answer that didn’t result in immediate carnage. “Oh, uh— It’s a cat bite. There’s a big stray outside. It got my boss too the other day, I think.”

He stared at it, eyes narrowing before he pulled back, giving you a silly expression. But his smile was too tight, his eyes too sharp no matter how much effort he put into softening them.

You wanted to be relieved that he seemed to buy it, but you couldn’t. That expression on his face left a sick feeling in your stomach, that pit that told you something horrid was about to happen. You tried to change the subject, pulling up your collar to hide the bite mark again. “I’ll see you at the circus tonight, then?”

He nodded, leaving a rather generous tip before walking out with his milkshake in hand. You could see a tenseness about him that wasn’t there before, an almost urgent quality to the way he moved. You released your grip on the counter when he was out of sight, letting out a breath. You’d certainly have to deal with this later, but for now, you were just happy you were in the ‘eye of calm’ part of the storm.

You finished up your shift about an hour later, closing up before heading out into the dark streets. The circus loomed ominous in the distance, right on the outskirts of town. You felt sick with anxiety with each step you took, your mind imagining how things might end up again and again, and rarely were they good.

The circus was about the same as it always was, enigmatic and nerve-wracking. You just barely avoided the prying eyes of the Ticket Taker as you moved through, and you felt his mismatched eyes linger on you far too long as you beelined for Pierrot’s tent. His show was far from starting, but you needed to see him after all that happened today.

You slinked around the tent, trying to remain unseen as you approached the entrance. You wanted to just try and poke your head inside, but a black glove shot out, taking your arm and pulling you into them. You almost yelped in surprise as you were dragged into the tent, the flaps closed behind you. He seemed far more frantic than usual as he pulled you inside, onto the stage floor in the centre of the tent. It was secluded by bleachers on all sides, out of sight from the door.

“Pierrot, Jesus Christ—“ You cursed, wriggling out of his grip to see him properly. “Is something wrong? Are you okay?

The tent was dark, lit with only a few pale yellow lights. They reflected off of Pierrot’s mask, illuminating the sight of… what the hell even was that? Something was staining him, smeared across his cheek, down to his lips. You realized something was seeping into the fabric of your clothing where his hands gripped. He spoke your name, one of those hands, dripping with that something, coming up to your neck, parting the collar of your outfit in order to press his fingertips against the bite wound at your neck.

“Pierrot, is that blood?! Are you covered in blood right now?”

He completely ignored you, focusing in on that bite. “I… I thought it could have been mine, at first. That maybe I lost myself in a moment I don’t remember, but that couldn’t be. I remember every second we spend together like it happened moments ago, my dear. It isn’t mine.” His hands shook as they traced the edges of the bite mark on your throat, as if he was just barely restraining himself. “He did this.”

You almost flinched at the sheer hatred in his voice, hissed out through his teeth with scathing intensity. You had initially thought the blood was his own, but now… You tried to keep your voice quiet and unnaccusatory. “The blood… is it Harelquin’s?”

He reached up with his free hand, gingerly touching his bloodied cheek, the dry liquid flaking off under his claws. His golden pupils were narrowed to mere pinpricks, and he looked off to the side, as if he didn’t want to admit it in front of you. “…I did what had to be done.”

“Pierrot—“

“How many more are there?” His eyes snapped back to yours, going from anger to worry. His hands roamed your body, not out of the desire to feel it, but frantically, fearful of what they might find. “How many times has he put his mark on you?” His voice quavered. You hesitated, heart pounding out of your ribcage. If the sight of one bite had him acting like this… revealing any more felt like walking right into a laid beartrap.

Your eyes flicked from his face to where his hands were searching you, your mind spinning with conflicting thoughts. His words were… sweet, in some sort of twisted way, but they were also dangerous. Very dangerous. Harlequin’s warning from last night replayed in your head. ‘I’m not the liar of the two of us’. ‘I’m not the liar of the two of us’. Were you just choosing the pretty lie over the ugly truth? And– oh god, Harlequin. Pierrot’s face was still stained with what was almost certainly his blood. He was a sneaky, sadistic bastard… But had you inadvertently put him into an early grave by simply indulging him?

Pierrot seemed to notice you staring at the blood, and his face soured, his other hand coming up to wipe at the stain. “...He’s fine.”

You wanted to breathe a sigh of relief, but refrained, instead trying to deflect. “Ah– I wasn’t…”

“You were concerned for him. And that is… natural for you.” It seemed to strain him greatly to admit so. “Your kindness… It is what sparked this flame within me from the start. Though believe me, I despise seeing it be sorely wasted on the likes of him. I’d much prefer it if you spent it on me. Like you did when you first held out that bandage to me. Do you remember?”

“It only happened a couple of days ago.”

“What a beautiful moment…” His voice went a little whispery. He curled his fingers around your possessively, bringing your hand up and placing a lingering kiss to your knuckles. He was warm wherever his lips brushed, worshipful when his eyes slowly opened, half-lidded as they met yours. You tried to step back, but he suddenly wrapped his arms around you, pulling you into an embrace that was slightly too tight. He buried his face into your neck, strands of his long, pale hair brushing over your cheek whenever he shifted. You couldn’t see his eyes, but you were almost certain they were wide-open in piercing, possessive anger. Your body tensed under the constriction, your hands hovering uselessly for a moment, unsure of whether to shove him off or reciprocate.

“Am I frightening you, my dearest? I’m sorry…” His voice wobbled, a stark contrast to the intensity of his earlier tone. “You must understand that I am trying to be… patient. Accommodating. But in the process, I am caging my nature, that part of me that howls for you. And I fear… Seeing that mark… His mark on your skin…” His claws dug just barely into her clothing, his body practically vibrating with thinly-veiled rage. “It… it is becoming far more difficult to keep myself restrained.

“I, uh– I understand.” You weaseled a hand between your two bodies, placing it on his chest in an attempt to put a bit of space between you. You tensed as you felt a heartbeat beneath, thudding beneath the warm fabric of his clothing. It was rapid, and far stronger than any human’s, almost overpowering.

“Do you, my dear? Do you really?” He pulled back to meet your gaze, a smoldering intensity in his shining yellow eyes. He placed a hand over yours, keeping it firmly against his chest. “If you felt even a fraction for me what I feel for you… If you had one ember of that inferno in my chest… I cannot describe how happy that would make me. It would be everything I’ve ever wanted.” His voice lowered just a little, his eyes shifting menacingly to the side. “And the thought of you feeling such things for someone other than me… Especially him…”

His claws began to dig into the back of your hand, his body shivering with his barely-contained emotion. For a moment, it truly seemed like he was going to go off the rails entirely, alarm bells sounding off in your mind. “He’ll pay for this… He’ll–”

You used your free hand to take his face, and he snapped his gaze back to yours in surprise, turning his full attention onto you. “Stand down.” You warned, your chest almost hurting at the rapid pace of your heart as you made that risky move. “You’ve bled him enough for one night.”

He began to say your name in protest, but you cut him off by moving your fingers to sit over his mouth. “I’m here now, aren’t I? I want you to focus on me, not him.”

“You want…” He repeated, golden pupils dilating rather like an excited cat’s. His breathing was still laboured, his heart quickening under your palm. He then collapsed onto you, almost making you stumble backward with the weight of his massive form. His arms wrapped around you tight, claws catching onto the fabric of your clothing as he sank to his knees, burying his head into you.

“What shall I do? What can I do to become more desirable to you? How may I suit myself to your tastes?” He held you tighter, arms wrapped tightly around your legs now as he knelt before you. “I love you. I love you! Everything I have, it aches for you! It’s like it's reaching through me, shattering anything in its path to get hold of you!”

“Hey…”

“I love you.”

He went silent, nothing but sharp breaths and sharper claws digging into the fabric of your clothing. The weight of his confession hung in the air, more than any declaration of love he had made previous. Those had not been made like this, kneeling, voice cracking with desperation. And still, it didn’t feel as authentic as you would have liked. He was still hiding behind that mask, refusing to reveal anything to you. You placed a hand on his jaw, drawing his face up, thumb pressed readily against his lip.

“What are you doing?” His voice was breathy, almost in disbelief, the wind completely knocked out of his sails at the hint of reciprocation.

“That mask. I always wondered what it covered.”

He gave a slightly nervous smile, once again hiding his teeth. “Oh! I assure you, it is nothing… pleasant. Nothing that you would want to see. “ He couldn’t help but lean into your touch.

You raised your brows. “So… you’re denying me?”

“Ah? No!” The mere idea of that seemed to disturb him greatly. “I just– I would show you, but then you might… You might run from me, my dearest. And we can’t have that. I won’t allow you to fear me.”

“Mm… Well, if you won’t show me everything, how about just a piece?” The pad of your thumb prodded the corner of his lips. “Your teeth are sharp, aren’t they?”

He hesitated. “...Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

He searched your face for a moment, weighing his options. Finally, he relented. “Then… you can see.”

Pierrot’s teeth had always appeared normal at first glance, but when his lips pulled back just a little more, they revealed the sharp points he had hidden. His were wider than the needle-point teeth of Harlequin’s maw, but they were no less sharp. You shoved your thumb further, and his jaw parted readily under your touch, revealing those rows of shark-like teeth. His eyes were locked onto your face, searching you as if he were looking for some sort of approval. You inspected those teeth for a moment, familiarizing yourself with each dip and edge before you moved your hand down to hold his chin instead, thumbpad resting on his bottom lip. His mouth was still slightly ajar, revealing the barest glimpse of his tongue. His grip on your legs loosened somewhat, almost gentle as his hands caressed downward reverently.

“Does my appearance… Please you, my dear?”

He looked so pliable, so… receptive. This wouldn’t be a fight. There would be no clash of teeth on each other’s skin unless you explicitly wished for it. He would become whatever you asked of him, lapping up any hint of sweetness in your words like an obedient hound. You replied slowly. “I like you when you’re honest.”

“Even if I am monstrous?”

There seemed to be far more to that question than he was letting on. His claws settled gently on your legs, as if to illustrate his point. You slowly nodded, moving your hand to cup his cheek.

“Especially so.”

He leaned into your touch, a lovely red hue dusting over his cheeks as he slowly grinned. It could have almost been dopey-looking had it not been sharpened by the few drops of blood still staining his face. You kept wanting to compare him to a dog, forgetting all about a dog’s tendency to guard until it slammed you in the face. “Then let me be honest,” He leaned in, pressing his cheek to your thigh, focusing his touch into that one leg. “I adore you, my dear.”

You took a deep, long breath, allowing him to continue.

"If subservience is what you wish… I will serve you until my dying breath. If you want a challenge? I will fight. You want to flee? I will chase. You want to hunt? I will run. Anything I can do to catch your eye… to see that wonderful smile bless your face… I will do unquestioningly." He sighed against your clothed thigh, eyes fluttering shut as he pressed his forehead against it now. “I’ll make you forget that he ever existed.”

“Enough of that.” You spoke sternly, grabbing one of the offshoots of his hat. You were surprised to feel something beneath the fabric, something firm, almost like a horn of some sort? You wrapped your hand around it regardless, pulling back. His head tilted under your unspoken command, pleading eyes looking up into yours. His hands stayed firmly in place, holding you like a lifeline.

The sight stirred something. He looked so… adorably pathetic. “You want me?”

“Yes! More than anything—“

You brought your other hand to place a fingertip to his lips. He settled down, sitting back onto his calves in defeat. One of your legs shifted in between his thighs, the sole of your shoe brushing just barely over the front of his pants. He gasped, bloodstained claws digging into the fabric separating you, still careful not to catch your skin. “That’s all I needed to hear.”

“Dearest…” You could practically see the feverish want in his gaze as he sighed, eyes fluttering shut. You pressed down a little harder, and his hips bucked, instinctually rutting against you. He turned his head to press a lingering kiss to your palm, one of his hands moving to envelop it, keeping it firmly against his face as he took another long, deep breath. “You spoil me.”

You were practically giving him scraps, and here he was, swallowing every bit of it greedily. You would almost feel bad if it wasn’t so admittedly endearing to see something like him, likely centuries old, massive, powerful… just kneeling to you so easily like this, almost purring under the smallest of touches. You pressed down even more, rocking your leg back and forth, and he made a choked sound, melting into the touch despite the pain it must cause him. He nibbled at the fabric of your clothing, desperate to have something to bite down onto you, or maybe he was considering just tearing them off right then and there. It was hard to tell what he was thinking as he pushed himself against you, nuzzling into your thigh while he eagerly took this humiliating position.

“You really do love this, don’t you?”

“I love you.” He stammered out with a breathy laugh. “Anyway you choose to have me… I’ll give myself to you.”

“But what do you want?”

“When you’re here… with those beautiful eyes fixed onto me and no one else… I have all I’ve ever wanted. It’s even sweeter than I imagined. Having you all to myself…” his voice took on a near manic quality, a wild look on his face as he ground against you. He was so willing, so obedient when he wanted to be. Perhaps, only when it came to you.

But then again, this was the same creature who roped you into all of this, who compromised your privacy, who broke into your home several times. All the puppy eyes in the world couldn’t erase that. You traced your foot higher, to rest against his abdomen, and pushed him off.

His hands ripped away from you, settling on his knees as he looked up, head cocked to the side in crestfallen confusion. You turned around to walk towards the bleachers, but didn’t get far before he was on his feet, arms wrapping around you from behind tightly.

“Wait… Where are you going? Did I do something wrong? I’ll do what you ask… I’ll crawl better! Just…”

You shifted around to face him, taking his face in your hand sternly. “I’m not leaving.”

He blinked in confusion. “You’re not?”

You ducked under his arms, backing up until the back of your knees hit one of the chairs of the circus tent’s bleachers. You fell onto it, leaning back in the seat. “Just getting comfortable.”

His eyes hungrily roved over your form, lingering wherever your clothing showed a hint of what was beneath. You considered, for a moment, the idea of making him kneel again, making him just sit there politely and watch as you got yourself off before him. You wondered how sweet that torture would be for a voyeur like him, who was perfectly content to stalk you throughout your day. He likely knew every nook and cranny of you already, and you had some mixed feelings about that. It would be a due punishment. But… perhaps another day. For now, you were desiring something a little more hands on. You pat your thigh invitingly, and he blinked in surprise for the slightest moment before he eagerly took your invitation, coming up to you. His arms wrapped tightly around your torso as he just about curled up into your lap. You pulled him to straddle you, trailing your hands down his waist.

“You’re so close… But you’re still so covered.” You furrowed your brows as you looked down over his body. “I wish you could show me.”

“Oh, my dear…” His hand found your neck again, tracing that bite mark with an obsessive fervour. “I wish I could show you what lay beneath this mask… And there will come a day in which I do. But right now, it is best for both of us if you don’t see it.” He leaned in, whispering to you. “Do you trust me?”

Not the liar of the two of us.

You hesitated, hands stopped at the dip of his waist.

“You don’t have to answer that now.” He reassured, seeming a little dejected you didn’t immediately agree. “You will trust me soon.”

He seemed so confident in that. Part of you wanted to refute, but given the situation, it would be far better not to. “I mean… I don’t distrust you. But if you don’t want to show me… I won’t pry further.”

“That makes me happy.” He pressed his forehead to yours, settling comfortably into your lap. Due to his height, he had to curl to have his face level with yours. “But… I will show you more of myself. Maybe not all of me. But If you want me to… if you’ll allow me, I’ll show you something.”

“Like what?”

“What I’ve been imagining since our eyes first met.” There was no grin on his face now, none of his usual delirious excitement at your presence. His touch was calculated now, tense, as if trying to parse the right formula to… to what? Please you? You weren’t quite sure, but he was clearly trying to do something. “May I kiss you?”

The direct question almost caught you off guard, his hands moving to envelop your face, thumb gently caressing your cheek. You let your gaze drop to his mask’s mouth for a moment. You thought of reaching out and taking that mask off, to kiss him properly. You even thought briefly of rejecting him, making him beg further. He would look so pretty, clinging to you, barely restraining himself from crumbling as he asks again…

Instead, you slowly leaned in, letting your lips brush against his under the soft yellow glow of the few lights. “You may.”

At first, his lips only parted, as if in surprise at the acceptance. Then, they widened into an excited grin before he dragged you into a feverish kiss. You fell back onto the stage floor, taking him down with you, his legs on either side of your hips. You could feel him smiling into the kiss, desperate but oddly gentle, like he was afraid you may accidentally catch on one of his impossibly sharp teeth. His taste was inhuman too, oddly sweet, but laced with an undercurrent of bitterness you couldn’t quite place. And, of course, the faint trace of iron from the blood that still covered the surface of his mask, strong and… slightly acidic.

He let out a soft, muffled sound, bordering on something you’d call a whimper. You tensed a little when you felt something pressing against your lower abdomen, realizing he was growing very, very aroused under your touch. It was strangely comforting to know that they seemed to have similar tells as a human did, but as for how human it was beneath the strained fabric of his pants… You didn’t know. And you were curious. Very curious. You reached a hand down between your two bodies, palming at the fabric covering his cock.

His whole body shivered as he broke the kiss with a gasp. “Dearest—“

“All it takes is a bit of kissing, huh?”

“I’ve… been like this for a while. Just your presence is overwhelming beyond belief… but your kiss… your ready acceptance of me… it’s maddening.” He breathed out, hips instinctually pushing into your hand. “This means… This means you want me, doesn’t it?”

You hesitated, but slowly nodded. It wasn’t a lie to say you wanted him, but you were unsure of whether encouraging him would be a good idea. His face instantly lit up at the motion, like a puppy being told it was a good boy.

“You want me…” He let out a laugh, slightly in disbelief, lips crashing into yours again. You gasped into him, trying at the belt at the top of his pants. You unlooped it, tossing it to the side and sliding the pants down until just that part of him was exposed.

You pulled back from the kiss, aching to look down and sate your curiosity, but the hands on your face pulled your head up to face him again, not letting you look down. Pierrot’s gaze was averted, a deep flush settled over his masked face.

“What’s wrong?”

“Forgive me, my dear… but you must keep your eyes elsewhere for now.” He spoke slowly, finally meeting your gaze. He pressed his forehead to yours again, as if to reassure you. “I am too monstrous.”

“I told you I don’t mind. I want to see you.”

“You— you can’t.” His voice was a little more urgent. “For now… you can’t. Knowing too much… seeing what’s beneath… it can put you in danger.”

You raised your brows. “Even something as simple as this?”

“…Even something as simple as this.” He confirmed slowly. “Please, put your trust in me.”

You let out a long sigh, just itching to shift your eyes downwards and confirm for yourself. But instead, you resolved to let touch do what your eyes couldn’t. “Then I’ll learn through my hands.”

He groaned when you placed your fingertips on the base of his cock, pressing his cheek against yours. He rubbed up against you in an almost feline-like motion, moving down to your neck again. Monsters like him seemed to fixate on the slope of your throat, tongue darting out to taste it. “You look so lovely today, my dear… except for…” His gaze fixed onto the bite wound at your neck again.

“Hey now…“

“Can I cover it?” His eyes snapped to yours again. “With my own bite? I’ll… I’ll be gentler than he could ever be.”

You hesitated at the direct request, the memory of teeth sinking into your shoulder suddenly vivid and slightly overpowering. Pierrot gave you a pleading look, placing a hand earnestly onto his chest. “You can pull me back if it gets to be too much.”

You took a deep breath, knowing that not indulging him would likely lead to more problems later. “...Alright.”

He held you a little tighter, face pushing into the crook of your neck as if taking in your scent. You didn’t see the mask split open, but you felt a tender kiss against the injured skin before he bit down.

That familiar pain shot through you, accompanied by the undeniable warmth he brought with each touch. His claws dug into your clothing, teeth sinking in further and further. He let out a soft sound, rumbling across your collarbone as he lost himself. He was going too far, and you made an involuntary hiss of pain as blood dribbled down from the imprints of his teeth, staining your collar, falling down over your chest. You placed a hand on his chest, flipping him over so he was on the bleacher chair and you were overtop him, between his legs. He let out an undignified squeak of surprise, but eagerly let you do so, a feral want written all over him as he bucked into your hand. It was your blood that stained his face now, dripping down from the corner of his mouth, mixing in with that which was already dried there.

“Sorry– ah, I went too far, didn’t I?” He groaned, his tongue gathering what blood of yours was on his chin with an almost dazed look on his face. “Forgive me… You taste so sweet, my dear…”

“So I’ve been told…” It was strange to have a being so large underneath you like this, but it was certainly very arousing. He could likely kill you with a single well-placed swipe… yet here he was, allowing you to maneuver him like a pliant doll. You used that unnatural amount of precum he had to slick your hand as you pumped him up and down, feeling him twitch under your touch. Despite his usual unyielding silence, he was far from quiet with you, cries of your name falling from his lips again and again as he was overwhelmed by the sensation of your returned desire.

“Please, my dear… Let me bring you bliss in turn. Return what you’re giving me tenfold” He took your free hand, bringing it up to press a lingering kiss to your palm. “I promise you’ll enjoy every second of it. I’ll be more careful this time.”

You placed a hand over the now doubled bite wound on your throat, feeling it throb with an aching pain. When you pulled your palm off, it was slick with your own blood. Just how hard did he bite you? You felt the sudden urge to return the favour.

“Oh dear…” He deflated a little at the sight of your bloodied hand. He took your wrist gently, bringing it up to his lips. “I… really am sorry, I would never hurt you like this on purpose. Let me…”

His tongue slid out to trace over your hand, cleaning it of blood. You let him do it for a moment, watching place another of those reverent kisses against your palm before you covered his mouth with it, pushing his head back. His eyes snapped open wide as you exposed part of his neck, your lips pressing just above his frilled collar. Your other hand continued your motions on his cock, and even though he wouldn’t allow you to look down and see it, you could feel his inhuman shape. You couldn’t wrap your hand entirely around it, but given the size of the rest of him, you pretty much already expected that. These monsters were enigmas to you still, but at least there were parts of them that were predictable. For example, when you bit down just below his jaw, he let out a gasp of startled pain. It would take some effort, given your dull teeth, to break that skin. It likely felt far more painful than what a clean slice would hold, with how much more force it required, but eventually, you managed to draw some blood from him, marking him the same way he had marked you. His whines of pain turned into something more pleading, more pleasured as you continued, his body relenting beneath you readily.

You jolted as something began to form under your hand, right at the base of his inhuman cock. You pulled off, having no time to admire the damage you left behind before he pulled you into another kiss, the taste of your own blood on his tongue mixing with the taste of his on yours. It took some effort for you to break the kiss, meeting his feverish gaze.

“Pierrot, what the hell is–”

“My dear, keep going…” He huffed out, wrapping his arms around you and pulling you so your face was buried in his chest, his chin resting atop your head. His breath came out in ragged pants, little sounds of pleasure escaping from him.

“You’re close?”

You felt him nod. You were burning to just tear yourself away from him and have a look, because whatever you were feeling under your hands certainly wasn’t human. Was it some sort of… knot? You couldn’t quite tell. But when you rubbed your fingertips there, focusing on that forming swell, he melted under your touch, a low, rumbling sound drawn from his throat. His hands roamed your back, slipping under your shirt to run across your bare skin, exploring every inch he could reach while you used your hands on him. Seeing him in such a state… It did serve to rile you up. You moved faster, and right as he began to tense up, you stopped.

Something akin to a sob tore from his throat, his claws digging into your back. You sucked in a pained breath at the feeling of them raking down your spine.

“Sorry, sorry… But what? Why would you–” He sounded so distraught. You couldn’t help but chuckle, taking your hand off of him for a moment.

“Shhh… relax.”

“But–”

“You want to please me, right? So take it.”

He couldn’t say much to refute that without breaking the promises he had made. His body shook as you started again, legs wrapping around yours tightly, keeping you against him. You went far slower now, only giving the lightest touches to where he needed you most, knowing any more stimulation would ruin your plans for him. His hands clambered for some sort of purchase on your back, clearly trying to be careful and not scratch you again, but failing miserably each time you gave a slightly firmer stroke, just to go back to those too-light touches. You continued this little game a few more times, bringing him to the edge just to bring him back down, and he let you. He greedily soaked up every drop of affection you granted him, with soft moans and breathy pleas of your name each time you denied him. It was a fun game, even with each claw that caught your skin, no-doubt making you look like you’d been attacked by some feral alleycat. He babbled, too. It was as if he was making up for all of the times he couldn’t speak, mumbled into you with a desperate fervour. He said a great many things. Your name, his love for you, your love for him, how good you were making him feel, how good he wanted you to feel, what he’d observed, what he loved… You only caught bits and pieces, scattered and unintelligible the further this went on for.

Eventually, that ‘knot’ at the base of his cock had grown so sensitive that you just couldn’t keep this up. He came at the last light touch, and he did so with a silent cry, pulling you close to him as he did so. His thighs squeezed tightly around your hips as his body fell apart into bliss, burying his face into your sore neck. By the end of things, you were both panting, exhausted, and with almost-matching wounds on your throats.

“Marked by each other…” He breathed out, a lovesick grin spread out over his face. “I can’t imagine another thing more beautiful…”

The bite mark on his neck was a far different shape than the one on yours, but it was a good sight nonetheless, marring his otherwise unblemished skin. One of his hands brushed against your bloodstained collar, trailing down to your chest. “Please, allow me to—”

He was cut off by the sound of a voice outside, a panicked look overcoming his face. You pushed off of him, equally panicked just by seeing the look on his face. “Pierrot? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, dear– You are so consuming I lost track of time. My show is starting soon.” he quickly fixed his clothing, standing up and taking your shoulders, drawing you into a last, tight embrace. “It pains me to say it, but we will have to continue this later. You… you have to go. You can’t stay to watch me covered in blood like that. It… it will tempt them.”

“Them…? Do you mean–”

“I’ll clean up. Go. You must be careful.” He gave you a reassuring squeeze before stepping back, a worried look on his face. He pulled out a handkerchief, running it along the injured skin of your neck, wiping off as much blood there as he could. It still stained your clothing, evidence of what had transpired. Pierrot pulled your jacket tighter around yourself, buttoning it up in an attempt to hide it. “Don’t let them see how much you know.”

He brought your hand up one last time, placing a lingering kiss on your knuckles. You nodded quickly, heart racing at the thought of going outside again, facing the other, far more dangerous creatures that resided there, who weren’t tamed by feelings. You felt his gaze on you as you slipped out of the back of the tent, shivering as you stepped into the cold evening air.

It was drizzling now, a few drops of rain hitting your nose and cheeks as you walked onto the half-dead grass behind the tent. Old flyers and litter scattered the ground where you stepped, the splash of shallow puddles soaking through them with each movement. You could hear the distant sounds of laughter, shouts of playful fear from the unsuspecting crowds, not at all privy to the true horror that lay within the circus. Your heart still pounded from the intense experience, shoulder radiating pain, soothed just a little by rainwater seeping into your jacket. You crept slowly around the tent, hoping to rejoin the crowds, to blend in with the unknowing even with the red ticket sitting heavy in your pocket.

Your mind was filled with conflicting thoughts, most of them involving the image of Pierrot on his knees, near tears as he begged you to look his way. Harlequin’s accusations of sadism from last night felt even more impossible to refute, but you tried to anyway. After all, being aroused in a sexual situation, even if that situation was a little violent, didn’t necessarily make you a sadist, now did it? You’d need harder evidence before you reconsidered your stance.

There were few lights that reached the back of the tents, only a few sparsely lighting your path. But one illuminated the shape of a figure, hunched against the side of the tent. Your heart dropped, and you ducked behind a pile of old crates, reaching for the knife in your pocket just in case. Maybe you wouldn’t be able to beat any of the freaks if they came at you with the intent to kill… But if you could make them bleed with a bite, that meant they could be hurt somewhat, right? At least you’d be able to do some damage before you go, or make yourself not worth the effort? It felt a little morbid to be calculating just how much you could fight back before you get killed, but what else could one do against creatures they didn’t quite understand yet?

To your surprise, instead of the threats you had grown used to, a familiar, yet strained voice called out. “Do you really think I can’t see you?”

“Harlequin?” You paused, then slowly placed a hand on the crate to pull yourself up. Sure enough, on closer inspection, you could see that bright, poison-green in the dark behind the tents. You honestly weren’t sure if this was the best or the worst person to run into right now.

“If that’s your best attempt at hiding, you’re not going to last long.” His voice was more pained now than teasing, and the image of Pierrot’s face, stained with blood, crossed your mind again. You almost hesitated to come closer, partially due to his inherent danger, and partially due to not wanting to see whatever state he was in. If his voice was this rough… What was the rest of him like? You slowly stepped forward, following the smoldering glow of his eyes, flashing like a cornered animal’s in the hint of distant light.

He seemed to shrink back from you, looking uncharacteristically small as you approached. It was raining a little harder now, but the small pools around him were darker than the rest, blooming with each drop of blood that fell from his crumpled form. He did look rough, tears in the fabric of his costume where stab wounds lay beneath. Pierrot clearly did a number on him, and though they were half-healed now (you assumed his kind must heal far faster than yours), you couldn’t help but imagine what he must have looked like freshly mangled.

To be honest, you were almost jealous of Pierrot’s ability to tear him apart like this. You doubted you’d be able to get this many hits in with your small folding knife.

He hissed out a breath through his gritted teeth, lips pulled back into something like a snarl. He quickly covered up his displeasure in a grin, slowly standing on his swaying legs. Blood dripped from him, settling into the grass below.

“Oh, Harlequin…”

He let out a loud bark of laughter. It sounded more covering than genuine. “You look so worried. It’s adorable, really.”

“Worried? I wish Pierrot stabbed you some more.”

“Oh yeah?” He seemed amused, cocking his head to the side, revealing more of one of the gouges at the junction of his neck and shoulder, the split fabric stained with his own blood. “Why don’t you continue what he started, sweetheart? We both know it gets you off.”

You bristled, barely restraining yourself from taking him up on that offer. “I’m not a sadist. Stop lumping me in with you lot.”

“Oh yeah, sure you aren’t.” He leaned in, almost looming over you, blood falling from his lip onto your cheek. “You had quite the mouth last night.”

You felt the warm drop weave its way down your cheek, to your jaw. It was followed by another, hitting the corner of your mouth now. Something screamed at you to let your tongue slide out and taste it, but you refrained. “He hurt you pretty rough, didn’t he…?”

“He doesn’t like it when I touch his things.” He grinned, letting out a little groan as he stood back up straight. You had little to say to that, remembering how desperately Pierrot had clung to you, and the look he gave you when he first discovered that bite wound… God, you’d never seen a creature, human or otherwise, look so intense. And you had a feeling you’d barely scratched the surface of whatever this obsession was that he had with you.

“In any case… While I’m here, I should return something.”

“Oh, of course. Your kindness knows no bounds.” He leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms as he watched you rummage through your bag. You pulled out the piece of fabric, stepping closer to wrap it around his neck. But, oddly enough, he snatched it from you before you could do it for him, tying it in place himself. “I suppose I should thank you for going out of your way. But I won’t. You’d read too much into it.”

“Well… While I’m here, do you want a bandage, or a cloth?” The words almost died on your tongue. The tiny little band-aids you had on you in comparison to how deep and numerous those wounds were… it felt like slapping a piece of scotch tape onto a sinking ship. He laughed, shaking his head.

“Don’t waste them. A few stab wounds is nothing.”

You raised your brows, and he continued, seeing your confusion.

“Even in this state… I could likely still hunt you down. Want to test it?”

“What—?”

You were mumbling to yourself like a madman, plopping down in a quiet corner. There was no way you were going to the ticket counter now; the angry mob of people had grown tenfold in just the few minutes it took you to walk over here. 

“Us frugal spenders got the short end of the stick, huh?” A voice spoke, making you spin your body in the hard plastic airport chair. 

“Fuck.” You laughed, holding your chest. “Oh my god, sorry I didn’t know you were over here.” A man with headphones wrapped around his neck was sitting on the floor, charging his phone. Barricading himself in his own corner, a similar idea to the one you had. His hair was organized chaos, his smile wide. 

“No, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to startle you.” His eyes went soft; they were brown. A warm honey brown you could imagine yourself drowning in. 

He was attractive, that much was obvious. If it wasn’t his face, it was how he held himself, even as he was tucked into the wall. Hoodie sleeves covering his hands to keep warm.

You spun in the chair, pulling your knees up to your chest. “I’m sure you didn’t expect a crazy woman to come over here and begin speaking to herself like she’s lost her mind.” 

He smiled, a true with-teeth grin. “Worst things have happened than a pretty lady having a moment of insanity. Besides, I think if you can lose your mind anywhere where it's socially acceptable, it’s the airport.” 

You hummed in agreement. Ignoring the way your cheeks flushed at his compliment. “Are you also going to Chicago?” 

“Guilty. My best friend just moved there, I’m thinking of joining, but I wanted to visit a few more times.” He smiled. 

“Funny. I just signed a lease there. My work is moving me.” You smiled, his eyes lighting up. “My sister’s waiting for me in my new place.”

“God, well, now I have to move, huh?” He grinned; all you could do was laugh. 

“It’d be nice to have a friend in the city…” You trailed off. 

He moved his bag, shuffling towards you with his hand outstretched. “Steve. Steve Harrington.” 

“Y/n, Y/n Y/l/n.” You said, shaking his hand clumsily. He pulled away first, sitting there awkwardly for a moment before another announcement came on, announcing more cancelled flights. 

“Well, Y/n, I think you deserve a $20 coffee that tastes like dirt water and an overpriced sandwich that tastes like hospital food.” 

“Wow, Steve, you treat all your ladies like this?” You teased, standing up to join him. 

“All my ladies I befriend in airports for 24 hours? Absolutely.” 

“Hmm, and how long is that list?” He stood next to you, ready to take your bags from your hands immediately. The chivalry oozes out of his pores. 

“Right now? Pretty short,” He smiled, “Let’s say we claim this corner, huh? Unless you had accommodations for tonight.” 

It was an invitation to stay, one you’d be ashamed to admit you didn’t even think through before you were nodding. This fairytale book of a man showed up in his oversized hoodie, carrying your bags, and talking sweetly to you. You could see the looks of disappointment on your friend's faces now if you told them you just walked away, getting a hotel for the night as a normal person would. 

“Consider this corner conquered.” You said, a smile lighting his features. His eyes crinkled as he moved your bags next to his. 

“So I’m thinking, coffee first, then food. Then we attempt to occupy ourselves and somehow get sleep in this disaster.” 

“While also trying not to get trampled by the Home Alone family over there.” You added, watching a family of at least 12, all running through the terminals at full speed. 

He nodded, “Dying would be bad. This first date would be off to a bad start.” He said absentmindedly, the two of you walking side by side. 

“Date, huh?” You smirked, side-eyeing the man. He froze, his hands moving wildly before he began speaking. 

“Wait, ha. I didn’t mean, like I was joking. But also kinda not?” He babbled, running his hand through his hair wildly. “I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable or anything. We did literally just meet. I promise I’m not like a creep or anything-” 

“You’re cute when you’re nervous.” You smiled, watching him continue. 

“And I swear I just said it. I don’t think sometimes, I should have asked, but-” He slowly caught up, “Wait, you think I’m cute?” 

You nodded, a shy smile on your lips. “Very. And for the record, we may never see each other again. So you better make this a very memorable date.” 

He brought his hand up in a salute, “Yes, ma'am.” 

Once the date was solidified, you both ordered your food. When you reached into your purse, Steve ignored you, handing over his card to the barista without a second glance. Your cheeks were red, your chest giddy with excitement. You felt like a middle schooler again, complete with the clammy hands and awkward gait. 

“How is it?” He asked when you took a drink, your eye twitching. 

“Tastes like they ground the beans with a rusty hammer and brewed it with mop water.” You cringed, “So exactly how I expected it to taste.” 

“Oh, that’s my favorite kind!” He gasped, taking a drink of his own. Swallowing it down harshly, “Oh god, that’s like horrible.”

The two of you ate your overpriced, horrible food with small talk. The silence wasn’t as awkward as you thought it would be. You learned that his best friend Robin had just gotten a segment on NPR, and his brother, for all intents and purposes, Dustin, was interning at the Field Science Museum during his undergrad. 

“It’s almost like the universe really wants you in Chicago.” You teased.

His face went soft, nodding silently at you. “I think it’s sending me some pretty strong signs.” 

You told him about your very boring corporate job in Healthcare; it was the first job that gave you an offer after graduation, so you took it. You had some family not too far away, so it seemed like the best plan. He said that he dropped out of school, you saved the pity, and just shrugged. 

“Things happen,” You reassured him. “What were you studying?” 

“Criminal justice and prelaw.” He admitted with a heavy breath. “Wasn’t sure if that’s what I wanted to do or if I was just doing it to make my Dad proud of me.”

You stayed quiet for a moment before speaking. “Well, what do you wanna do?” 

“Is it embarrassing to admit that I don’t know?” He spoke with an earnest look in his eyes. He propped his elbows up on the table, setting his face in his hands to look at you. “Sometimes I feel like a loser. 26 years old and all I have to show for it are some college credits and a resume of job hopping.” 

You shook your head, “I don’t think that’s embarrassing at all. Everyone moves at their own pace. I appreciate that you haven’t forced yourself to do anything you didn’t enjoy. I did. I earned a degree I don’t care about and a job I know I’m going to hate. Simply because it felt like it was the right thing to do.” 

“What did you wanna do?” He asked, flipping it back onto you. You let out a hefty sigh. 

“Oh man, I wanted to be a journalist. Wanted to travel the world and write about it. Meet new people, learn new things. Maybe write a book or two.” You smiled, a hint of sadness in your eyes. “But journalism doesn’t pay the bills if you don’t have a foot in the door.” 

“You know, my ex-girlfriend, well, really she’s just a friend now, is a Journalist. Moved to New York and everything. She just had her first baby.” He hummed, lost in thought, “Serious if you ever wanted to pursue that, I could give her a call.” 

You blushed, shaking your head. “No, that’s too much to ask. Besides, I don’t even know if I’m good at it, really. It was always just a faraway dream I had.” 

“Well, listen, the option is always there. Nancy would love to show you the ropes.” He smiled, his feet brushing against yours under the table. It was crazy the connection that spiraled between you two; the conversation never dried up. The next thing you knew, it had been well over an hour, and the airport was slowly clearing out as some flights went on and people found their accommodations for the night. 

“Do you think it’s time we venture back to our humble abode?” He asked, scooting out from his chair. 

“Lead the way.” You smiled, accepting his outstretched hand. His hand was so much larger than yours, your smaller one falling into his palm perfectly. You tried to stop the large smile creeping up on your face, feeling like a kid with a schoolgirl crush. It was ridiculous. 

His body stopped abruptly, your body nearly running into his. “Pit stop.” That was all he said before he dragged you into a random convenience store. 

“What?” You giggled, watching as he grabbed a tiny basket. Shoving it into your hands. 

“We’re gonna need snacks, drinks. This is also the perfect opportunity to judge your taste.” He smirked. Making you gasp. 

“My taste is fine, thank you.” You jutted your lip out, beginning to stalk down the aisles. Throwing various chips and candies into the basket. 

“Sour candies. Good choice.” He hummed, throwing in a package of cookies. 

“Chocolate chip cookies? What are you, 12?” You teased, grabbing a couple of water bottles. 

“You wound me, Y/n.” He pouted, continuing to go through and judge every single thing you looked at too hard. The lady behind the counter glared at you two, but you ignored her. Lost in your own bubble of giggles and endless flirting. It was just as toothrottingly sweet as the pile of sugary drinks and snacks in the basket. 

“Is this everything?” She asked in a monotone voice, which unfortunately just made you and Steve fall into another fit of giggles. 

You tried to pay, only once again getting pushed away by Steve’s outstretched hand, tapping his card to the machine. 

“You didn’t have to,” You frowned, “I mean, I think all of this was more than you saved on the flight.” 

He shrugged, uncaring. “This is still a date. It’s very rude to let a lady pay.” 

By the time you made it back to your corner, a few others were occupying the gate with you all. Most of them lay around, attempting to get some rest. It was hard to fathom sleeping while the sun was still setting; mostly, you were too wound up at the prospect of hanging out with Steve to even think about sleeping. 

“So I’m thinking, makeshift fort. Movie?” He hummed, pulling out a travel pillow and a jacket from his bag. You did the same, making your own little cushioned seat. You slipped your laptop from your bag, connecting it to the wifi while Steve arranged the snacks. 

Content on scrolling through the movies you hummed, the two of you trading off what you’ve seen before and what movies you’d never watch, when scrolling Before Sunrise caught your eye. You laughed a little amongst yourself. 

“This date is sort of like the movie Before Sunrise,” You noted, propping your laptop up on the makeshift table. Which was just your suitcase on its side. “We're just stuck in an airport and not in Vienna.”

“Vienna would be so nice,” Steve mumbled through a mouthful of Red Vines, which you absolutely bullied him for. He tried to hide them underneath the pile of snacks, but it was no use. He was adamant about enjoying the cherry-tasting rubber wire. “Have you ever been out of the country?” 

You shook your head, “Never had the money. You?” 

“Nope. We should go.” He said as if it were the casualist thing in the world. 

“What? Do you wanna hop on a flight right now? Abandon our lives and go jet set in a European country?” 

“I don’t think we’re in that kind of cheesy rom com,” He snorted, “But I think you’d be a great travel companion. I mean, you can be pretty judgmental about my favorite candy, but besides that, you’re pretty cool.” 

“Pretty cool.” You mocked, his shoulder brushing against yours. 

“What? You are.” He laughed, adjusting himself closer towards you. You were both so close to each other, thighs pressing against each other. Your shoulders brushed with each movement you made. Once your laptop was ready, you leaned back, taking the risk of leaning against his side. Giving him a moment to pull away if he wanted, and he didn’t. If anything, he leaned further into you, his hands untangling his headphones. 

“Let me guess, time to judge my taste in movies?” You asked, taking the earbud he handed to you. 

The two of you share the wired pair, your heads now close together. He smelled like fresh laundry and cedar. His body warm against yours, you wanted nothing more than to lay your head on his chest.  

“See, you’re learning.” He smiled. “What about that Sunrise movie you talked about. I’ve never seen it.” 

You gasped, immediately pulling it up. “What a disgrace. I’m gonna have to show you true cinema.” 

“I don’t watch a lot of romantic movies, mostly action movies. I did watch a lot of movies in high school, Robin and I worked at Family Video.” 

“Family Video? Jesus, they’re still in business?” 

“Oh, absolutely not, went bankrupt a few months into us working there. Robin was convinced it was our fault. But of course it wasn’t, it was one of the last ones opened since the 80s, I think.” He hummed the subtle music of the movie’s introduction, traveling through the headphones. 

“You’re not a movie talker, are you?” You asked, turning to look at him. Which was a mistake, his face was so close to yours. His eyes are even dreamier up close. You could smell the red vines on his breath. 

The freckles on his cheeks that you never noticed before were now all you could focus on. 

“I could lie and say no, but I’ve been told it’s one of my only flaws.” He spoke softly, trying his hardest not to watch the way your lips curved with every word you spoke. He knew you were beautiful from the moment he first saw you, but now he was blown away. Your eyes staring into his made his chest ache, a warmness blooming there. 

“Well, I guess someone as perfect as you did need some.” You whispered, nearly jumping when the movie officially started, taking it as your cue to turn back to the screen. 

It was obvious the two of you were dancing around each other; you were slowly leaning into his shoulder at a snail's pace. And you caught Steve mustering up the courage to raise his arm, welcoming you into his chest. He’d stop himself each time, his teeth coming down to bite at his lip in frustration. He was nervous, and it was the most adorable thing you had ever seen. 

“What if he were a murderer?” Steve spoke up, eyes glued to the screen. “She was too trusting of him, I think.” 

You laughed at the irony, “Are you a murderer? I mean, look at us. We’re on a date now, aren’t we?” 

“Yeah, but that’s different. We’re in one location, arguably a heavily armed and secured place. They’re in a foreign country just running around with each other.” 

“I think it’s romantic,” You hummed, “To forge a connection with someone so quickly. To chase that feeling, not even thinking about the consequences.”

It was silent for a moment, Steve’s eyes boring into the side of your face. “I think I would have asked you to join me in Vienna.” 

“I think I would have joined you.” You said almost immediately, his arm finally moving up. Resting around your shoulders, giving you the chance to lay your head on his chest. He leaned back, giving you the perfect angle to rest against him. You could feel his heart thumping wildly under your head, matching the beat of your own. 

“See, I knew he was lying about something.” He whispered, his breath fanning hot against your neck. Making your skin prickle all over. You took his little comments in stride, what would normally be annoying for you, you suddenly found endearing. Enjoying his little bits of commentary. 

You sat up a little when the credits rolled, ready to get his reaction. 

“I hated that ending.” He spoke, face contorted deep in thought. 

A laugh bubbled out of your chest, “What? Hate is a strong word.” 

“For two people to have a connection that strong, that fast. It’s ridiculous to let that go right?” He scoffed, “I mean it’s f-fate, right? Something like that has to be. She could’ve given him a phone number. Something.”  

“This movie really changed your perspective, huh?” You smiled, recalling how hesitant he was in the beginning. 

“Something like that.” He looked at you, really looked at you. In a way, you weren’t sure you’d ever been looked at before. Like he really saw you, for who you were. Like he wanted to know you, to peel back every layer and memorise you. Like he was bottling this memory up to watch on rewind later.

He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. You kept your eyes on him, realizing just then that you were hanging on his every word. The thought was terrifying in its clarity. You were falling in love with a stranger, someone who had only existed in your life for a single, fragile stretch of time.

“I feel like we could have a better ending than that.” He decided on, smiling down at you. 

You made a noise of agreement, lifting your head off his chest. Already missing the warmth he provided. 

“What’s our ending look like to you?” You asked. He looked down at you, your lips barely inches apart. His warm breath hits yours, anticipation brewing in your stomach. 

“There is no ending,” He spoke softly, “Not to sound like a sap, but love doesn’t end. It goes on forever.”

“Hmm. You do sound like a sap.” 

“Do you not believe?” He asked, “In love, I mean.” 

“No, I do.” You smiled, both of your lips gravitating towards each other. “I just didn’t know you were such a romantic.” 

“Have I not been romancing you?” He teased, his hand coming up to rest gently on your hip. A respectable placement, one to keep close. To steady himself. 

You shook your head, “Consider me romanced.” 

“Can I kiss you?” He asked, his brown eyes darkened. All you could do was nod, meeting him halfway. When your lips met halfway, the rest of the world faded out of view. Gone was the noisy airport traffic; all you could feel was him. His soft lips are moving eagerly against yours.

Sparks flew beneath your skin, your hands coming up to rest on his chest. You were both lost in the kiss. In the feeling of each other, his hand pulled you closer. Your body was nearly toppling on top of his before you both stopped. 

It was as if, simultaneously, you both remembered where you were, breaking out of your own orbit. 

Your surroundings came crashing back down. His face was flushed, lips glossy from your own. You were winded, staring at him with a wild look in your eyes. 

“You’re beautiful.” He gave you one last peck on the lips before letting you pull yourself up. Sitting back upright. 

“You’re beautiful.” You returned because he was. Every inch of his face looked as though he had been hand-carved by the gods themselves. 

He made a pathetic noise, covering it up with a loud cough. Only making you laugh. “No one’s ever called me that before.” 

“Then I need to find all of your ex-girlfriends and give them a piece of my mind,” You hummed, letting your hand cup his cheek. Your thumb rubbing small circles into the skin. “Because you are the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. I mean it.” 

“You sweet-talking me for more kisses, huh?” He asked, leaning forward. 

“I don’t think I have to.” You teased, pressing your lips together once again. He felt like a drug; the moment you got a taste, you weren’t sure how you were supposed to let it go. You were addicted, drowning in him. 

This one was different, more intense. His mouth explored yours, your mouth parting for him with little to no effort. Letting his tongue pry out pathetic whimpers from your mouth. Hands gripping each other messily, your hands in his hair. His hands on your face, your hips. He pulled away, pressing wet kisses down your neck. Sucking gently on the flesh between your ear and neck. 

“We might get kicked out of this airport if we keep going.” He whispered, your lips parted in a broken gasp. “As much as I’d like to continue, I don’t intend on being on a do-not-fly list.” 

You gave him a breathy laugh, slapping his chest playfully. “Maybe we should have gotten a hotel.” 

The words made him pause, his brows dipping slightly while you readjusted in your spot. 

“I want you to know that I didn’t ask you on this impromptu date just for that.” He started, “I really like you. I just wanted to get to know you; it wasn’t some grand scheme to get laid.” 

“I know,” You smiled, “I do think it would be a bonus though.” 

“Well, yeah, obviously.” He scoffed, grabbing your hand in his. “I just didn’t want you to think I was using you.” 

“I didn’t think that, Steve.” You assured him, lacing your fingers through his. Bringing it up to press a small kiss to his palm. “You know I’m not using you either, right? I do really like you. Probably more than I should for having just met you.” 

“I mean, it would be an honor for you to use me,” He smirked, “But I feel the same way. Like, I’ll wake up, and this was all some weird dream. These kinds of things don’t happen to me. Only in movies.” 

He nodded his head to the now darkened laptop screen. 

“I find that hard to believe. I bet you sweep all the ladies off their feet.” You laughed, trying not to think about just how many. You had no right to be upset, but your chest ached at the thought of him doing this same thing to other women. 

He just shook his head, “I’m actually terrible with women for the most part. Between my last few girlfriends, I’ve just been awful at it.” 

“I don’t see how.” You admitted, “I mean, look at us. We’ve already had at least three dates in one. We’ve spent five or more hours together. We just had our first kiss. We’ll be married by midnight at this rate.” 

“I don’t know. Just seems like I’m never good enough, you know? I mean, both my ex-girlfriends married the person they left me for. Just kinda seems like I’m bad luck, you know?” 

Your heart ached for him, squeezing his hand tighter from where it sat in yours. “Well, I disagree. I also think they’re fools for not realizing what was right in front of them when they had it.”

“I just think we won’t be together long enough for you to realize it, or you’d be running for the hills.” He tried to laugh it off, but you could hear the ache in his voice. 

“How presumptuous of you,” You settled on, “You deserve love. Anyone who can’t handle you just wasn’t worthy of you. That has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them.” 

“Maybe my parents messed me up more than I’d admit.” He sighed, “They were super absent. Not in love, I don’t think they ever were. I was just a byproduct of a young mistake. So by the time I got my first girlfriend, I just kept screwing it up. Typical young cliche mommy and daddy issues.” 

“I mean, I don’t disagree.” You smiled, “But give yourself a break. The whole time I’ve known you, albeit not very long, you’ve been way too hard on yourself. Any girl would be lucky to love you, to be loved by you.”

Your words felt heavy on his chest. “And you. How are you not already taken? I would’ve thought someone would’ve been wise enough to put a ring on your finger already.” 

You laughed, a real one. Ugly and nasally. “Oh my god, no.”

“Oh, so commitment issues then?” He cocked an eyebrow at you. 

“Maybe, I dunno.” You laughed, “Just haven’t found anyone I click with long term. I don’t know if you knew this, but most men suck. Like astronomically bad. You’re like the first man in years that’s blindly paid for a first date. Last date I had he sent me a Venmo request while I was still in the parking lot.” 

“Want me to kill that guy for you?” He deadpanned, making you laugh even harder. He would be fine if that was the last thing he ever heard in this world. 

“By all means, my night and shining armour.” 

“You deserve more than just a free meal. You deserve,” He sighed, “Romance. Like true romance. Candlelit dinners, roses, the whole red carpet.” 

“Oh, so you don’t take your dates to the airport and spend hundreds of dollars on shitty snacks with them?” 

“Not typically, no, you’re just extra special.” He grinned. 

“Thank god for that.” You smiled, leaning into his space once again. Letting your faces hover over each other. Both of you just drinking each other in. “But just so you know, I don’t need all that fancy stuff. All I need is good company. And I think I got the best.” 

“Yeah?” His eyes lit up, flickering between your eyes and lips. 

“Yeah.” You breathed out, pressing another lingering kiss to his lips. This one is heavier, full of words unsaid. Full of the tension that had been coiled tightly between you two. 

“Well,” He let out a breath, “Enough of that. What’s next on our movie list?” 

“Let’s watch a Christmas movie and then dinner? Options are slim, but I can wine and dine you later.” You winked at him, finally getting the smile back on his face. “And you’re letting me pay.” 

“Yeah, sure.” He said, very uncovningly. “But a Christmas movie? Not feeling very in the spirit?” 

“I’m missing all my Christmas Eve festivities. The least you can do is entertain me with some Christmas joy.” You laughed, watching him pull your laptop into his lap. 

“I got it,” He snapped his fingers after some scrolling. “Die hard.” 

You stared at him, eyebrows furrowed. “I said a Christmas movie.” 

“I can’t believe you don’t consider Die Hard a Christmas movie.” He scoffed, your shoulders brushing against each other, purposeful now. Leaning into each other for warmth. No hesitation in your actions. Your bodies now clinging to each other, physically mourning each moment you were apart.

“I can acknowledge it takes place during Christmas,” You argued, “But it’s just an action movie that so happens to be around the Holidays.” 

“Didn’t know you were such a bah humbug.” He joked, pressing play anyway. “After this, you’re gonna change your mind. I promise.” 

You both weren’t a few minutes into the movie before a shrill scream ripped your eyes away from the screen. Looking for the source of the noise. It was a few rows away, an elderly lady, barely holding her husband up as he clasped his hand over his chest. Falling to the floor as each second passed. 

Neither you nor Steve wasted a second; both of you yanking the shared earbuds out of your ears, rushing over to the couple. Steve was on his knees, fingers pressing against the man's neck to check for a pulse. 

“No pulse.” He said, his eyes wide. Your healthcare training kicked in, ready to drop to your knees and give CPR before you realized Steve had already started. His hands were perfectly positioned, giving chest compressions. 

“Oh my god.” The wife wailed, almost dropping to her knees. You steadied her, pulling her into your arms. 

“M’am don’t worry, EMS is coming, okay.” You spoke, watching people gather around. Airport employees have already made the call. 

“What’s his name?” You asked her, keeping her eyes on you. 

“Adam.” She cried out, clutching onto your sweater. 

“Come on, Adam,” Steve grunted, his hair falling onto his forehead.

You sat the wife down in a nearby chair, “It’s gonna be okay, EMS is on the way.” You assured her, a small crowd was gathering. You could see airport staff running over, calling in the incident. 

“Steve.” You spoke, and he looked up at you. His arms not stopping compressions. “They’re on their way.” 

All he could do was nod while you let his wife sob into your shoulder. When EMS came over, it was a blur, a short switch of Steve hopping off the man, and the paramedic taking over. 

His wife, Cindy, you learned, wouldn’t leave your side. You walked with her to the ambulance when they got him on the gurney. You even helped her shaky hands to call her son, helping explain what happened when she couldn’t calm down. You gave her son your number, telling him to call if they needed anything tonight. He thanked you endlessly. When Cindy was taken to the Hospital, following the ambulance, you got the chance to take a breath. 

The cool night air prickles your sweaty skin. Steve was the same, having shed his hoodie after the paramedics came. The two of you worked seamlessly beside each other, not able to talk until now. 

“So that was crazy.” He breathed out, a dry laugh escaping his throat. “Like holy shit.” 

“Dude.” You sighed, rubbing your face. “I’m like shaking.” 

“You okay?” He asked, wrapping his hands around your waist. You nodded, “Adrenaline, I think.” Your hands were draped around his neck.

“Hell of a drug.” His body was shaking much like yours was, your bodies pressed against each other. 

“How do you know CPR?” You asked. “I was a medical assistant in undergrad. Most people rarely do CPR correctly.” 

“Lifeguard for four years, and swim team.” He smirked. 

“Oh, of course,” You shook your head, “Bet you were prom king too.” 

His silence was all you needed for an answer, smirking at his bashful face. “Yeah, you little heartbreaker.”

You took a minute to admire him in his short sleeves, his muscles flexing from where they were wrapped around you. “Swim team. No wonder you’re jacked.” 

“M’ not jacked.” He huffed, “I barely work out anymore.” 

“See. You need to let people compliment you. You’re so hard on yourself.” You huffed alongside him, making him roll his eyes. “I’m thinking about your biceps wrapped around my neck, and you’re here huffing and puffing that you’re not a bodybuilder.” 

His eyes widened, “I’m sorry, what?” 

“Hmmm?” 

“That thing you just said. Bout my biceps?” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“Yeah, sure you don’t.” His mouth went dry, his eyes stuck on your faux innocent smile. You looked up at him from your lashes. Your hands are messing with the hair on the back of his neck. 

“I’m just saying. You’re hot. S’also not the best time to admit you looked really hot saving that guy's life.” 

He could feel his body reacting before he could process it, the bulge in his sweatpants twitching against your thighs. 

“S’just the adrenaline. I’m sorry.” He mumbled shyly, all confidence out the window. 

You simply smiled, refusing to let him pull away. Holding him close to you outside the airport emergency exit. 

“I’m about to suggest something insane, and you’re free to say no. I don’t want you to feel weird about it.” You spoke before your mind could stop you. Your fingers toying nervously with his hair.

“What?” He asked, peering at you.

“In the international departures terminal, there’s a family bathroom. Passed it on my way in. It’s in the back corner, and international flights have been halted. And it’s nearly midnight…”

You let the words linger in the air, bracing yourself for his reaction. It took him a minute before he spoke, his face contorted in thought. 

“O-oh. You’re suggesting…” he trailed off. 

Fear took over you, your body going still. “God, I’m sorry. I never should have said anything.” 

“I didn’t say that.” He cut you off, “It’s not something you’d regret, right?” His eyes were soft, kind. Making sure you didn’t feel pressured. You shook your head, biting down on your bottom lip. 

“Not at all. I really, really want to.” You admitted, letting it sit in the air between you. 

He pulled you close, gnashing your lips together messily. Only long enough for you to part your mouth before he let you go, “Meet you there in 10?” 

“Y-yeah.” You stuttered, watching him turn around. Holding your hand until you made it back inside. He went to check on your bags, and you headed straight to the bathroom. You crossed your fingers, silently celebrating that the end of the hall was dead.

The bathroom was huge, with a toilet and a sink, two plush chairs, and a changing table counter in the corner. 

A knock on the door took you out of your thoughts, making you jump. You cracked it open to reveal Steve, who slid in easily. You felt like a teenager, all giddy to be breaking the rules. Steve Harrington made your heart race in a way you didn’t know it could. 

“Do you think it’s ethical to fuck on a changing counter?” You giggled, pointing to the counter on the back wall. It seemed to be the perfect height. 

Steve shrugged, reaching down to pick you up in his arms. You wrapped your legs around his waist on instinct, his lips attaching themselves to your neck. 

“Don’t care.” He grumbled, walking you backwards onto said counter. Setting you down gently, he stood between your legs. Your clothed hips brushing against each other. 

“I mean, it’s perfect.” You moaned, hands gripping the collar of his shirt while he sucked a noticeable bruise into the side of your neck. He felt like a teenager in heat, having the primal urge to mark you up. To mark you as his. 

“I didn’t know you were so obsessed with counter heights.” He teased, his hand crawling underneath your sweater. Cupping your tits through your bra. 

“M’not.” You sighed, “I think I’m just obsessed with you.” 

Your words only made his cock throb harder, helping you pull your shirt off. You leaned forward, letting him unclasp your bra, your hardened nipples perky in the chill air. 

“Fuck.” He groaned, both of his hands coming up to cup your chest. Thumbs immediately tweak the buds, causing your eyes to flutter shut. “You’re so sexy.” 

“Shirt off.” You grumbled, pulling his own shirt off his head. You were face-to-face with his toned, hairy chest, basically salivating at the sight. You ran your hand through it, trailing down his abs all the way to his happy trail. Letting your fingers slip into his waistband. 

Not before he could stop you, “Going too fast. Let me make you feel good.” He cooed. 

“Do we have time?” You asked, helping him slip your leggings down. 

He scoffed, “I’m sure. Unless we’re really unlucky, but you’re at least gonna cum before we leave this room.” 

“You’re unreal.” You giggled, letting him pepper kisses on your chest. He takes each swollen bud into his mouth before releasing it with a pop. “Fucking perfect tits.” 

“Oh, you have a dirty mouth.” You moaned, the heat between your legs becoming unbearable as he made his way down your torso. Leaving wet kisses and small bites on your flesh. 

“Oh yeah,” He groaned, “M’gonna show you just how dirty this mouth can get.” 

His fingers pulled your underwear down easily, falling to join your leggings on the floor.

“Been wanting to do this since you walked over, talking to yourself like a madwoman.” He groaned, his knees hitting the tile. 

“You’re insane.” You sighed, watching him. 

“No, we’re insane.” He grinned up at you, his face diving in between your legs. If he wasn’t holding your legs open, you were sure to slide off. The moment his warm tongue flattened itself over your clit you were convinced you had died and gone to heaven. His tongue swirled around your clit expertly, sucking and eating you out like a man starved. 

“Holy fucking shit.” You moaned, covering your mouth with your hand. If you had told yourself just a few hours ago you’d be getting eaten out by the hottest man you’ve ever seen in the airport bathroom, you wouldn’t have believed it. 

Now you were writhing out broken moans of his name, ready to cum all over his face. “Steve..” You breathed out, your hand combing through his perfect hair. Tugging at the roots. This only spurred him on, his nose nudging your clit with each thrust of his tongue. “You like that, huh? Dirty boy.” You sighed, only to be caught off guard by your orgasm approaching, “I’m gonna-” 

He never even came up for air, content to let you smother him while you came. Your legs were shaking as he licks you through it, only stopping when you beg. Pulling his head up to you by his hair. Gnashing your lips together. The taste of your release on his tongue had you moaning, hands fumbling to pull his pants down. 

Neither of you could wait any longer; the bulge in his boxers definitely couldn’t. You heard a slap when he pulled his boxers down, his cock slapping against that happy trail you’d definitely dream about. 

“Holy fuck.” 

“Oh fuck, I don’t have a condom.” He panicked, assuming that's what you were freaked out about. 

“I don’t care. I have an implant. Where have you been hiding that?” You pointed to his cock, which sat heavy between his legs. His tip was red and leaking with precum. If circumstances were different, you'd beg to wrap your mouth around him, feel him hot and heavy in your mouth. 

“Oh.” He blushed, wrapping a hand around his thick length. “Like what you see?” 

His confidence was coming back each moment you stared at him, your legs wrapping around his hips. “As much as I’d love to wrap my bicep around your neck and fuck the shit out of you,” He hummed, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead. “I’d much rather watch your gorgeous face when you cum around my cock.” 

His words made you dizzy, melting into his touch. “Next time.” You mumbled, he nodded. Neither of you even registered whether there was going to be a next time. Too focused on the task at hand. 

“Need it inside of me, now.” You begged, watching him line himself up. Smacking himself on your swollen clit a few times, before pushing his tip inside your entrance. The stretch made you coo, grabbing his shoulders. 

“G-god, you’re so tight.” He whimpered, slowly pushing himself in. Inch by inch. 

“You’re just fucking huge.” You gasped, biting into his freckled shoulder. “Feel s’good.” 

Your eyes rolled into the back of your head by the time his hips met yours, his cock piercing your womb. He gave you a second to adjust before he rolled his hips, dragging his cock out slowly before pushing back in. Taking your breath away each time. Not only could he eat pussy the way he did, but he fucked like a god. You were almost annoyed with how perfect he was if he wasn’t currently making your toes curl. 

“Can’t believe how good y’pussy feels.” He slurred, switching between kissing you hungrily and panting filthy words into your neck. His hips pounding into you loudly, skin slapping against skin, echoed throughout the room.

He was all over you, all you could taste, see, smell was him. And you wouldn’t have it any other way. It was fast, hot, and even messy. At one point, he leaned down, biting harshly at your bouncing tits. Making you squeal. 

“Steve.. Fuck.” You let out a guttural moan, no longer worried about being heard. You couldn’t be worried about anything other than the way his cock felt inside you. 

“You gonna cum?” He asked, steadying his feet. He bent your legs, spreading them open wide. Giving him the perfect view of your blissed out face, and his cock pistoning in and out of your cunt. 

“Keep fucking me like that.” You begged, falling back into the wall as both of his hands held your legs. 

“Wouldn’t dream of stopping.” He winked, making you laugh before it turned into a choked moan. 

“Close.” You spoke through gritted teeth, watching him lean down, spitting onto your cunt. Never once stopping his movements. 

“Touch yourself, baby.” He ordered, his voice hoarse. He was just as close. You obliged, his hands too busy keeping you in the position that had him rubbing against the spot inside of you that was ready to burst. The moment your fingertips found your swollen clit, you were gone. Each messy swirl of your fingers had you falling apart, barely able to choke out anything other than his name. 

“Can feel you,” He huffed, shaking his hair out of his face, “You gonna cum? Need to feel you cum, baby. You look so fucking sexy. Wanna make you cum every fucking day.”  

“God, yes.” You let go, your legs thrashing against his hold as you came around him. A choked moan leaves his lips as your cunt suckles him in deep, squeezing around him, soaking him completely. 

“There you go.” He nearly sobbed, folding your legs deeper. His hips stutter with each sloppy drag of him. “Gonna cum.” He spoke as a warning, your jaw lax watching him. His brown eyes were glossy, his skin shiny with a thin layer of sweat. 

“Inside.” You whined, and he immediately obliged. Emptying his cum deep inside of you, muttering your name over and over like a holy vow. You were the only god he could believe in, ready to crawl on his knees through hot ash to see your blissed-out eyes look at him every day the way they were right now. 

He slipped himself out of you, helping you sit up straight, sure your body was cramping from the weird position you were in. You didn’t care, your body tingling all over. 

“You okay?” He mumbled against your temple, holding your sweaty body against his. All you could do was nod, a short burst of giggles leaving your mouth. You could feel his cum sliding down your legs.

“Where’d you learn to fuck like that?” You asked rhetorically, making his chest rumble with laughter. 

“Let me clean you up.” He departed with a gentle kiss, walking to the sink to wet some paper towels for you.

You watched him as he walked. Smirking softly at his bare ass. Your release pooled around the base of his cock, wetting the tuff of hair there. It took everything in you not to drop to your knees, sucking him clean. 

He came back and cleaned you up as best he could, given the circumstances. He helped you dress on shaky legs, which he loved poking fun at. But mostly, he was just proud he was the cause of them. 

“So…” You started, making him smirk at you. “Dinner? I’m fucking starving.” 

“God, yes.” He laughed, wrapping his arm around your shoulders as you walked out. The terminal was still dead empty, the loud sound of the baggage claim drowning out any noises that could have slipped out of the bathroom. 

You two ended up in the booth of a random quick stop location, splitting a box of greasy pizza and sipping on cheap beer. You were across from each other, your feet resting on his lap across the table. 

“So, what are your Christmas plans? You already moved in?” He asked, picking a piece of pepperoni off his slice and popping it into his mouth. 

“Yes, and no. My sister is at my apartment now, she drove my car and cat up there.” You admitted, “I had a work thing and couldn’t, so she offered. I paid for her flight home in exchange. Movers did the rest. So we’re gonna probably get drunk and go to the Christmas market. What about you?” 

“Not gonna let you mention a cat and not show me a picture,” He pointed, “But Robin and her girlfriend planned this huge dinner. A lot of our friends are coming into town to do the same. Maybe we’ll cross paths at the market.” 

Your head swam at the idea of meeting his friends, already picturing the two of you holding hands and walking through the booths. You didn’t know what was going to happen after this, and you didn’t want to know. Not now, you didn’t wanna spoil the moment. 

“This is my cat, her name is Chai.” You showed him the photo of the black and orange calico. She was lying against your chest in the photo. He cooed. 

“Oh, little chai. I need to meet her.” 

“Are you trying to father my daughter already?” You teased, and he threw his hands up. 

“Guilty.” He laughed, “I’m the father that stepped up.” His weak joke only made you laugh harder; surely your cheeks were going to be sore by tomorrow with all the laughter. 

Sleeping arrangements were what you were dreading the most; half the hotels were overpriced or already booked by the time you looked. So it seemed useless; the two of you had already committed to this sleepover. This was how you two ended up bundled underneath airport blankets and pillows on the floor, your head curled into his chest. 

He watched your eyes flutter closed, your breathing mellow into a gentle rhythm. All he could think about was how utterly fucked he was. He’d never felt this way about a girl before, especially not so soon. He stayed awake for hours, dreading the inevitable sunrise that would tear them apart. In the meantime, he listened to your breathing, letting it lull him to sleep. 

He woke first, your head still in the exact spot it was when you went to bed. Your mouth was parted, toeing the line between sleeping and being awake. 

“Good morning, beautiful.” All he got in response was a muffled groan. 

“Breakfast?” He yawned, smoothing down your bedhead. “There’s some overpriced breakfast bowl with my name on it.” 

“Want a smoothie.” You grumbled, not wanting to move from where you were tangled together. Kept warm by a thin airline blanket and his jean jacket wrapped around your shoulders. 

“I can get you one. Just gotta let me up.” He whispered, your head immediately shaking no. “Come on, sweet girl, I’ll be back in no time.” 

You reluctantly let him get up, leaving you to curl up into his hoodie when he left. It wasn’t long before he came back, food in tow. You sat up, the two of you eating in comfortable silence. 

“Have you ever thought about being a paramedic?” You asked, stealing one of his hashbrowns. He paid no mind, simply shrugging. 

“No, I mean to be honest, yesterday was the only time I’ve used it on someone that wasn’t near a pool.” 

“You were a natural. I mean, you didn’t hesitate at all. Just jumped right in. You were so kind to Cindy, too.” You paused before adding, “The adrenaline rush is always nice too.” 

“Knew you were gonna get nasty there.” He rolled his eyes, stealing a drink of your smoothie. To any onlooker, they’d probably think you had been dating for years. Not that just the day prior, you were complete strangers. 

As much as Steve brushed it off, he couldn’t stop thinking about it. The idea of being the first responder, being able to help people in their time of need. It called to him in a way that he couldn’t quite name yet. For most of his life, he had never really known what he wanted, only what felt expected of him. 

He had moved forward without direction, choosing what was safe instead of what felt right. But now, for the first time, he was following his heart, and that decision pointed him toward Chicago. Toward you. It felt like the beginning of a new life, like pieces of himself were finally lining up after years of being scattered.

After breakfast, the two of you parted ways, only long enough to wash up and change. Meeting back up at the designated ‘fort’ you both began calling it. You both still had about eight hours before your flight took off, but the hours seemed to roll by. Faster than either of you wanted them to. All your worries about Christmas plans seemed to fly out of the window. 

“So, is this date technically still ongoing?” You asked, a bag in your hand. This made Steve smile, with a similar bag in his own. 

“Contractually, until our plane lands in Chicago, we are still on a date. So yes.” 

“Good,” You smiled, holding out the bag. “Merry Christmas.” 

He held out a similar bag, “Merry Christmas to you too, Y/n.” 

“Great minds think alike.” You both sat down on the row of chairs, each of you opening your gift shop bags. Steve opened his first, pulling out a plane-shaped keychain with the airport's name on it. 

“So you never forget the longest and best date of your life.” 

“As if I could anyway.” He beamed, holding the keychain close to his chest. “Thank you.” 

Your heart felt giddy, ripping into your own bag. Inside was a box containing a necklace; on the end of it was a dainty airplane pendant. You nearly burst into tears, holding the delicate jewelry in your hands. 

“Steve…” You whispered, “I can’t accept this, you’ve already spent so much-” 

“Shhhh.” He stopped you, placing a hand on your knee. “I want you to have a piece of me close to your heart.” 

You sniffled, pulling your hair to the side, “Help me put it on.” He moved behind you, placing the necklace gently around your neck, pressing a kiss to the skin after he clasped it. 

“I love it. It’s beautiful. So beautiful.” You said, wrapping your arms around him. Breathing him in deeply when he hugged you tight. The two of you stayed like that for a while before you pulled away. 

“We have about 3 hours left. What’s left on the agenda?” He asked, making you hum. 

“What if we got a drink at the bar, and people watched. It’s what I do on my own.” You shrugged. 

He clicked his mouth, grabbing your hand. “Sounds like a plan.” 

Four mixed drinks later and making up backstories for over a dozen people, the minutes were ticking by. You caught yourself memorizing the sound of his laugh, the way it startled out of him when you surprised him, the way he leaned closer without thinking. Your flight was finally back up on the call board, your leg bouncing anxiously. It only made sense that the two of you gravitated back towards your spot, both of you saying meek goodbyes to the corner you called home for the past 24 hours. 

“Well, we board in 30 minutes. Our rows are only a few apart. Immediately after we meet up?” He asked, running his hands through his hair nervously. Unwanting this day to ever end. 

“Of course.” You nodded, the two of you clinging to each other until the last possible moment. Steve tried to haggle with an older gentleman to switch seats with him, losing terribly. This only made you laugh, which only annoyed the man even more. Your hand kept reaching up to the necklace around your neck, rolling the small charm between your fingers, grounding yourself as panic and excitement tangled together.

As soon as the plane landed, embarrassingly, you and Steve were some of the first to stand. A blush creeping up both of your necks at getting caught, too eager to see each other again. You wondered if this was what people meant when they said love made you stupid. If this were the love that would have you running headfirst, not caring if it hurt. 

“How was the flight?” He sneaked up on you, grabbing your bag off the conveyor before you even had the chance to grab it. 

“Jesus.” You squealed, jumping into his arms. “Scared me.” 

“Missed you.” He admitted, holding you close. 

“I did too.” You frowned, unwilling to think about what would happen when the two of you went your separate ways. You had known him for a day, yet the thought of leaving already felt like a loss. “My sister called me a car, it’s already here.” 

You could see him deflate; you saw it in his eyes. You thought you’d have more time. 

“I’ll walk you out? Ride share is different from where Robin is picking me up.” You nodded, holding his free hand in yours. 

“I think I’d love Robin.” You admitted, the two of you pausing on the sidewalk. The snow-covered ground crunches beneath your feet. 

“I think she’d love you. You guys would gang up on me, I’d never get a break.” 

“Good.” You smiled, rubbing your thumb against his palm. 

“Yeah, I think it would be good.” He smiled, both of you stalling. 

“Okay. I’m gonna say something admittedly insane.” You huffed, deja vu hitting you at once, “I don’t think you have to know someone for years to really know them. Like, truly know them. Because you’ve seen me the past day in ways that no one ever has before. And all it took was a look. It scared me. Scared me to my core. It almost feels like we aren’t strangers, like we’ve always known each other.” 

“And this may sound even more insane, but I don’t think you need to have years with someone to love them either. Sometimes it just happens when we aren’t expecting it. Maybe when we don’t even want it to happen, because the future isn’t promised. But it happens anyway, because how could it not?” 

“Like, do you know how many things needed to align tonight for us to meet? And they all did. I know real life isn’t like the movies, but…” You breathed out, Steve’s face softening at your words. “What I mean to say is….” You huffed, chickening out at the last possible second, “Have a good Christmas?” 

He let out an awkward laugh at your words, both of you speechless. “I agree, life isn’t like the movies.” He started, “It’s so much better. It’s real, it’s tangible. I can’t explain just how much the past day has meant to me. To be heard, to feel…. wanted.” 

“And yeah, life is complicated and messy. But that’s part of being human. I’ve never felt as human as I have today. I feel like something in me shifted, like I’m stepping into my own life instead of watching it pass me by. You made me see things about myself today that I wouldn't have before. I’ve felt things today I didn’t even know I was capable of feeling.” He admitted, his cheeks going red from the cold,  “I want to see you again. I want you. God, it’s all I want.” 

You never believed in true love. Not the kind that arrived without warning and rewired your chest in a single day. Love, to you, had always been something that grew slowly, carefully, with time as proof. A slow-growing plant in the corner of a room, taking its time to bloom. Yet here you were, standing across from Steve, feeling something reckless bloom anyway in your chest. Something that felt a lot like love. Something that can be nurtured into something beautiful.

Steve leaped, a leap he should have taken long ago, too scared before, too unwilling to let something this fragile slip through his grasp. He refused to let you walk away like in the movies. He chose to put everything on the line, to reach for something fleeting and honest before it could disappear.

“Hey,” You stopped, grabbing him by the arm. So much has happened in the past few hours, it felt like days had passed since you first saw him huddled up in that corner. “When you’re back in Chicago. Find me. Wine and dine me like you didn’t get the chance to.” 

He paused, a smirk wide on his face. When you turned on your heel, ready to walk away, you were stopped. His hand tight over your hand. “This isn’t a romantic comedy.” 

“It was a romantic drama.” 

“This isn’t a romantic drama.” He corrected, his cheeks aching from how wide his smile was. “Now I would sulk through the streets of Chicago for years for you, but I’d rather not waste any time. So, can I please have your phone number?” 

“I was just waiting for you to ask.” You admitted, grabbing his phone and texting yourself. “Fall in love with the city, and maybe stay?” 

“I feel like I’m gonna fall in love with more than just the city.” He admitted, your brows softening in realization at his words. 

You pulled him in for one last kiss, putting all of your heart into it. “Don’t take too long to text me.” 

“I wouldn’t dream of it!” He yelled, never once taking his eyes off of you until you were in your car, waving frantically as the driver took you into the heart of the city. 

The moment his feet landed on the sidewalk, he was clicking on Robin’s contact photo, so quickly his fingers were shaking. She answered on the first ring, a confused “Hello?” 

“I just landed.” He got out quickly, jogging back to the baggage claim. “You’ll never guess what happened.” 

“I’m literally in the pickup waiting for you,” She sighed, watching Vickie stifle a laugh, “Can this not wait five minutes?” 

“No,” He breathed out, “I’m moving to Chicago. After New Year's, I’m gonna enroll in EMT courses, I think? Of course, I need to do some research, and I might have to crash in your spare room for a few months. I also think I found the love of my life?”